It’s never too late to show your body some love.
Are you set in your ways? Have you decided that you are never going to look the way you want to look? Or feel the way you want to feel? Stop. Stop, right now. There are no age limits on fitness. In fact, the only limits you face are the ones you create in your own mind. 50 doesn’t have to be the end of your fitness journey. For many people, it’s the beginning! Embrace your experiences. Up your activity levels. Try something new. Make 50 and beyond the time that you really put you first. 2019 could be the start of your beautiful fitness journey!
Over 50 and looking to get fit this January? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Protect Your Joints
Our bodies change as we get older and one of the things that can be impacted is our joint health. This means over 50s may have to take better care of their joints when they work out, switching out high impact exercises like running and explosive jumping for lower impact versions. This doesn’t mean you should cut out challenging movement – you may just have to adjust gears slightly for your changing body. The good news is that regular exercise can support and strengthen your joints – providing you with better protection against injury and disease.
Update Your Attitude
One of the biggest barriers to over-50 health and fitness is in the mind. People presume they are ‘past it’ or simply ‘too old’ to get in shape. They may think that poor eating and lack of activity in their 30s and 40s will mean it is impossible for them to get on track now. None of this is true and even if you are facing lingering injuries or limitations there is always a way to increase exercise and activity levels in your life. But to move forward, you have to take a leap and believe in yourself. I believe in you – let’s get started.
Make Activity Your New Normal
Normally drive that 10-minute walk to the shops? Ditch the wheels and walk it. Been putting off the housework? Get to it. Any way you can increase your base level of a movement is a good thing. Dogs are great for this, as most breeds force you out of the house and on to your feet at least twice a day. Start by looking at your typical daily routine and aim to add in 10 extra minutes of movement. It’s a small change but a positive one that you can build on.
Go Slow
You shouldn’t hop from a very sedentary lifestyle to a super active one with nothing in between. Suddenly throwing in two hours of intense exercise, three times a week, will lead to injury. You need to make incremental steps, that you build on slowly over a period of weeks or months. If you’re not sure how to achieve this, it’s useful to get some expert advice. The team here at FitFusion PT can help to create a tailored programme that will help you reach your goals safely.
Fuel Your Fitness
Exercise without a good diet is like trying to run a supercar on the cheapest and least efficient fuel. You won’t get the results you want and it will all feel a bit wrong. A great exercise routine has to be supported by a healthy and varied diet. They go hand in hand. So, forget the processed ready meals and unhealthy snacks and fill your diet with fresh whole foods that will give you the energy you need to succeed.
Ready to start your over-50 fitness journey? The great news is that, not only will you be creating a new, healthier version of yourself, you’ll also be upping your protection against age-related disease. From Alzheimer’s disease to high blood pressure, exercise can reduce your risk of developing many common illnesses and conditions. There has never been a better time to get moving, so get started with FitFusion PT today.
Next week, I’ll be shifting my focus to those amazing over 40s. Get ready to shake things up guys! Until then, stay amazing.
